Lycoming College kicks off fundraising campaign for Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service

December 9, 2013

Lycoming College has partnered with Pennsylvania College of Technology, YWCA, STEP AmeriCorps, CAPPA and The Center to help feed the hungry for the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, on Jan. 18. The participating groups plan to package 40,000 meals at Lycoming's Recreation Center that will then be distributed through the Central Pennsylvania Food Back to families throughout the area.

To cover the costs of transporting the food and equipment needed for the project, Lycoming has started a fundraising campaign on indiegogo.com, a crowdfunding Web site, with a goal of $8,025. To donate to the cause, visit igg.me/at/wportmlk before midnight Dec. 30. Any surplus funds will go toward more meals for area families or next year's efforts.

Lycoming's involvement in the events furthers its commitment to extending its reach in the local community and helping more citizens in need.

"I think that Dr. King's life had such an impact on our entire country that it is worth remembering and honoring in and of itself," Jeffrey LeCrone, campus minister, said. "Dr. King gave his life for the cause of justice and love. It is particularly appropriate for us to remember such a legacy through acts of service."

More than 10 years after Martin Luther King Jr. Day was declared a federal holiday, Congress designated it a national day of service in 1994. It is the only federal holiday observed as such and is considered a "day on, not a day off," according to the Corporation for National and Community Service.